Foot warts can affect the quality of your daily life because of pain. You might be at risk of getting warts if you have calluses. Your doctor recommends treating New York warts immediately after they occur to avoid spreading the infection and serious complications. Caused by the human papillomavirus, foot warts are rough, small growths on your feet.

Also referred to as plantar warts, foot warts can affect both children and adults and without treatment, they can last for several years.

Causes and symptoms of foot warts

Your foot warts can occur due to human papillomavirus exposure to cuts or cracks on your feet. Although there are different strains of the HPV virus, only a few types can cause warts on your feet. Although the HPV strain that causes warts is not highly contagious or easy to spread from one person to the other, it can spread from the initial infection site and cause the growth of more warts.

Common symptoms of plantar warts include pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and pus drainage. You might be at risk of getting foot warts if you walk barefoot in warm and wet environments, including swimming pools and locker areas.

What to expect from the pulsed laser dye treatment

Your doctor will apply a local anesthetic to make you comfortable during the treatment. Then, they will prepare the treatment site by cleaning and scraping or shaving it to remove the thick skin. Afterward, they will target the laser light to your warts, cut off the blood supply, and kill the HPV virus.

How to minimize your risk of plantar warts

You can prevent the transmission or spread of foot warts by ensuring that your feet and hygiene habits do not promote a conducive environment for warts. You can use the following tips to avoid the spread of plantar warts.

Wear protective shoes in wet areas       

Since plantar warts thrive in warm and wet areas, protecting your feet from such an environment is crucial. Your feet must stay clean and dry, especially if you are prone to the condition.

Avoid touching warts

If it is not necessary, avoid direct contact with warts; if you touch them, ensure to clean your hands thoroughly before touching another part of your body. If you use a pumice stone on your warts, avoid using the same device on healthy skin.

When to see a wart podiatrist

You should see a podiatrist if your foot warts do not respond to usual treatment methods, including topical acids, liquid nitrogen freezing, swift microwave treatment, or injections. One of the most significant symptoms that you should check is pain and its severity. Other symptoms include signs of infection, redness, warmth, and pus drainage.  

If you have foot warts resistant to common, typical treatments, visit Kenneth Meisler, DPM, PLLC, & Associates for treatment. Dr. Meisler and his team will provide the pulsed laser dye treatment and send you back to your primary healthcare provider for follow-up care. Call or book your appointment online today and receive expert treatment for foot warts.